The First Reactions to ‘Captain Marvel’ Are Finally Here

The first reactions to Captain Marvel, starring Jude Law (L) and Brie Larson (R), have finally arrived. Marvel Studios

The film hasn’t even hit theaters yet, but “fan” campaigns calling for the boycott of Captain Marvel have already popped up across the Internet for a number of reasons—none of which are worth exploring. Instead of giving ink to that misguided hate, let’s focus on the more level-headed moviegoers who have seen the film and shared their reactions now that Disney has lifted its social media embargo.

For those who don’t know, Captain Marvel is a Marvel Cinematic Universe prequel of sorts, taking place in the 1990s as Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) finds herself caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races: the Kree and the Skrulls. Since the character was teased in the post-credits scene of last year’s Avengers: Infinity War, and given that this is the only MCU feature set to arrive in 2019 before April’s Avengers: Endgame, it is believed that Captain Marvel will play some sort of role in setting up and/or connecting to the upcoming final chapter. Hell, Samuel L. Jackson even gave away a potentially massive spoiler during the promotional tour. We’ll just have to wait and see how all of that plays out.

Captain Marvel is a blast! Has some cool surprises that I definitely didn't see coming, and the mystery/origin it weaves is engaging and fun. Brie Larson is awesome, and makes a fantastic first step into the MCU #CaptainMarvelpic.twitter.com/oqrRtgDQrp

Really loved #CaptainMarvel. It’s a little wobbly at times but only because it’s so ambitious. It’s beautifully constructed, hilarious and offers tons of surprises. @brielarson obviously rules but Ben Mendelsohn is the surprise MVP. pic.twitter.com/yQLQGl2Yt0

Captain Marvel is everything that I hoped it would be. It feels completely unlike any other Marvel film. A unique and fresh take on an origin story that feels new. Brie Larson is fantastic as Carol Danvers. This is one of my favorite Marvel movies of all time. #CaptainMarvelpic.twitter.com/0ou7HU93MY

Realized something half way through #CaptainMarvel…the de-aging technology being used has become so seamless that I forgot it was being used. We are on the precipice of something both exciting and scary. Can only imagine what Scorsese will do with it in 'The Irishman'. pic.twitter.com/JvYbobhoXp

Industry observers and fans alike have been quick to compare Captain Marvel, the first female-led standalone MCU blockbuster, to Wonder Woman and Black Panther as a touchstone of mainstream representation. But it might be unfair to assume the film will do similar business at the box office as those two behemoths. Wonder Woman lassoed in $821 million worldwide, while Black Panther leapt to $1.3 billion. Given the mostly positive responses to the film above and Marvel’s track record, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Captain Marvel draw huge numbers. But even if its final tally is closer to Doctor Strange ($677 million) or Guardians of the Galaxy ($773 million), that would still constitute as a success.

If the film inexplicably underachieves, there is a chance Marvel might reevaluate its post-Avengers future. Lucasfilm, which is also owned by Disney, made the surprising decision to halt its anthology series following the disappointing Solo: A Star Wars Story, so anything is possible.

“If Captain Marvel doesn’t have the same type of success, you might sense a bit of anxiety,” Kendall Phillips, a Syracuse University professor and pop culture expert who teaches Rhetoric of Film: Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently told Observer.